Lucky Bastard Club – Certificate of Valor – Mission Certificate

I am seeking a HQ scan of a 491^st BG mission completion certificate that was issued to aircrew that completed their tour (see example).  In some Groups they were called a Lucky Bastard Club certificate, but at other times in the 2^nd Division they were called a Certificate of Valor, or in some cases it was a formalized and certified list of missions signed by the base CO and a Squadron CO.
 
It is not unusual for otherwise well versed group historians to not have heard of these certificates as they were somewhat scarce.  Anyone not completing a full tour would not have gotten one; nor would a man who had been shot down and/or taken POW or EVD as he would not have completed a full tour.  Also, it appears that an airman who completed his tour before Fall 1943 may not have received one. 
 
Examples that were issued in other 2^nd Division Groups are illustrated below.  I am in the process of writing and illustrating a book on the subject…hope you can help.  Send me a PM so I can get an email notification.  Thank you.

Don't know if it will help in your quest, but if your interested
in a b&w image of a 497thBG(H) 'Lucky Bastard Club'
certificate I have one on file that I could post for you.

Let me know.

Bob

Bob,

  I would be interested in seeing what you have.  Although I've been focused on the Eighth, it would certainly be worth exploring more widely.  One of the goals I have is to try and determine where this program originated.

Rowdy

My apologies Rowdy, I miss-keyed when I was was typing
and didn't catch it in time.

I meant to say 487thBG, not the 497th.

Sorry about that!

Anyway, here is is.

Good luck with your research.

Bob

Rowdy

I am seeking a HQ scan of a 491^st BG mission completion certificate that was issued to aircrew that completed their tour (see example).  In some Groups they were called a Lucky Bastard Club certificate, but at other times in the 2^nd Division they were called a Certificate of Valor, or in some cases it was a formalized and certified list of missions signed by the base CO and a Squadron CO.

It is not unusual for otherwise well versed group historians to not have heard of these certificates as they were somewhat scarce.  Anyone not completing a full tour would not have gotten one; nor would a man who had been shot down and/or taken POW or EVD as he would not have completed a full tour.  Also, it appears that an airman who completed his tour before Fall 1943 may not have received one. 

Examples that were issued in other 2^nd Division Groups are illustrated below.  I am in the process of writing and illustrating a book on the subject…hope you can help.  Send me a PM so I can get an email notification.  Thank you.

Bumping this one up...still need an example from the 491lst.  Have determined that they exist.

Rowdy